The South Jersey Transportation Authority is planning to spend more than $270 million on improvements to the Atlantic City Expressway and Atlantic City International Airport this year, according to a report in the The Press of Atlantic City.

The report said projects include a third westbound lane on the expressway between the Garden State Parkway and Route 73 interchanges and a facility that will allow the airport to better handle international flights in the airport. Work also includes bridge repair, road resurfacing, upgraded road signs, weather stations, an energy-efficiency program and environmental monitoring of grasslands at the airport as required by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission

Mike McLaughlin/For The Star-LedgerAtlantic City Expressway, heading toward Atlantic City

Officials said the work is designed to help the state out of the current economic crisis. Gov. Jon Corzine's economic-stimulus plans include spending on transportation projects to create jobs.

Most of the work will be paid for through expressway toll increases that went into effect in November. The SJTA estimated the toll hikes will generate about $205 million in added revenue.